Page 47 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Phuket

Buddhist Temples ❮❮ 45

Wat Kosit Wihan
6 36 miles Bang Pae
(60 km)
MAP K2 • Highway 402
• Open 8am–5:30pm daily Thalang
It’s a bit of a climb to this temple 4030 Li Phuan 4027
carved into a hillside, but the reward Pa Khlok
is great views of Phuket Town. In the 4025 Cherngtalay 4025 402
grounds stands a large Buddhist Bang Tao Ma Nik Tha Rua
cemetery, and a number of small Ko Kaeo
monuments with photographs of the Bang Khu
people who were cremated here. Kamala
4022 402
Wat Phranang Sang
7 Na Kha Le Tho Sung Chi Lao
MAP C5 • Thepkasattri Road
• Open 8am–5:30pm daily Kathu Ratsada
4029
Built over 200 years ago, Phuket’s Patong Tung
oldest temple houses the mummi– Toong Phuket
fied relics of a former abbot, Luang 4233 Chalong Town
Poh Bai, and a collec tion of large tin Ao Ron Nui 4021
Buddha images, crafted when tin Suan 0 km 3
was still considered a semiprecious
metal. The Heroines’ Monument Karon 0 miles 3
(see p43) stands near this temple.
Srisoonthorn to commem orate
one of the two sisters (see p41)
who defended Phuket from foreign
conquerors in the 18th century.
Wat Putta Mongkol
9
MAP P5 • Dibuk Road, Phuket
Town • Open 8am–5:30pm daily
Located in the heart of Phuket Town,
this temple is sometimes referred
to as Wat Klang (literally, central
temple). It features colorful archi­
tectural designs, including yellow
Temple interior, Wat Phranang Sang chedis (stupas), as well as an old
Sino­Portuguese colonial home,
Wat Srisoonthorn
8 which is used as the monks’ dormitory.
The spacious grounds are also home
MAP C6 • Thepkasattri Road
• Open 7am–5:30pm daily to the Phuket Buddhist Association
Towering above this temple is a and Phuket Old Town Foundation.
massive 95­ft­ (29­m­) tall reclining
Wat Kajonrangsan
Buddha statue, depicting the Buddha 0
as he achieved Enlightenment. Nine MAP N5 • Ranong Road,
other Buddha statues populate the Phuket Town • Open 7am–5:30pm
entranceway. Built in 1792, and daily
known locally as Wat Lipon, the A unique temple in Phuket Town,
temple was later renamed Wat Wat Kajonrangsan, also called Wat
Kajon, features distinctive Roman­
style architecture in the ubosot
(ordination chapel). Since it does
not draw busloads of tourists, a
visit here offers a good opportunity
to observe an active community
environment. The temple grounds
also house a school.

044-045_Top_10_Phuket.indd 45 16/06/2017 13:01